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The packaging of the future is being invented right now

The packaging of the future is being invented right now It is increasingly environmentally-friendly and also cheaper, as the manufacturers are innovating unceasingly to meet end-users’ demands.

When it comes to sustainable development, packaging manufacturers, particularly those signed up to the Save Food initiative, want to demonstrate that their products ensure hygienic distribution and cut food waste. Initiatives to lengthen the shelf life of fruit and vegetables are increasing.

Researchers are working on films that allow controlled gas exchanges, allowing the produce to breathe better, and can even compensate momentarily for a break in the cold chain. They are developing patches that allow precise amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide through when the temperature rises above a certain threshold.

Moisture control is also a crucial factor. As well as perforations, which are placed in an increasingly targeted fashion, new liner pads that absorb humidity and contain active compounds are being developed. Activated by moisture, these compounds are liberated into the punnet in gradual stages, keeping the product fresher, reducing odours and increasing food safety.

Antimicrobial packaging has also become cheaper since it has become possible to use nanoparticles of silver, which bring down the cost of this technique. Sustainability also involves packaging that is lighter and recyclable or compostable. Particularly in Britain, there is also a rise in heat-sealed punnets, which use less plastic than lidded ones and are also cheaper.

Another trend is the ability to print the punnets or moulded trays, giving companies a communication opportunity, enhancing the value of the product and avoiding the need to label the punnet. Lastly, packaging manufacturers continue to innovate in order to respond to new consumption trends like snacking and eating on the go.

VB

This article appeared on page 74 of the July-August 2015 edition, number 138, of Eurofresh Distribution magazine. Read more of that edition here: https://www.eurofresh-distribution.com/magazine/138-2015-julaug

Image of packaging blister made by bioplastics (Celluloseacetat): by Christian Gahle, nova-Institut GmbH [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Record attendance at Asia Fruit Logistica

More than 9,200 trade visitors from 70 different countries attended Asia Fruit Logistica at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo Center from September 2-4. Organisers said a significant increase in visitors from Asia drove the record attendance at the International Trade Fair for Fruit and Vegetable Marketing in Asia. Total visitor numbers rose by 14% on last year’s event, and 66% of those visitors came from Asia, up from 58% in 2014.

More than 9,200 trade visitors from 70 different countries attended Asia Fruit Logistica at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo Center from September 2-4.

Organisers said a significant increase in visitors from Asia drove the record attendance at the International Trade Fair for Fruit and Vegetable Marketing in Asia. Total visitor numbers rose by 14% on last year’s event, and 66% of those visitors came from Asia, up from 58% in 2014.

“These results demonstrate the further strong interest and engagement in Asia Fruit Logistica from trade professionals across Asia,” said Gérald Lamusse, managing director of Global Produce Events (GPE).

“They underline Asia Fruit Logistica’s position as the unique pan-Asian event for this business, which also attracts unparalleled attention globally from leading buyers and suppliers.”

China was by far the biggest country represented in terms of attendance, accounting for more than a third of total visitor numbers. Australia and the US ranked second and third respectively, and they were joined by India, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore as the strongest of the 70 visiting nations.

The exhibition space for this year’s show expanded by a third. More than 570 companies from 40 different countries showcased their products and services at the event, up 20% on 2014.

China was also the single largest country in terms of exhibitor numbers, with 105 companies exhibiting. Lamusse said Italy cemented its position as second-largest exhibiting country, with 54 companies taking part,  up 39% on last year. Egypt moved up into third place with 36 exhibitors, the US edged into fourth (31 exhibitors), while Australia and the Netherlands shared fifth spot with 30 exhibitors each.

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Salmonella outbreak in US linked to Mexican cucumbers

According to a information from the CDC, since July 3,285 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Poona, with 53 ill people hospitalized and one death reported from California.More than half of the ill people are children.

A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Poona infections is being investigated in the United States by authorities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) .

According to a information from the CDC, since July 3,285 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Poona, with 53 ill people hospitalized and one death reported from California.More than half of the ill people are children.

“Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations have identified imported cucumbers from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce as a likely source of the infections in this outbreak,” the CDC said. More than 70% of 80 people interviewed had reported eating cucumbers in the week before their illness began.

On September 4, 2015, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce voluntarily recalled all cucumbers sold under the “Limited Edition” brand label during the period from August 1, 2015 through September 3, 2015 because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. The type of cucumber is often referred to as a “slicer” or “American” cucumber and is dark green in color. Typical length is 7 to 10 inches.

The CDC said its investigation is ongoing. Its full statement can be read here.

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GLOBALG.A.P. version 5 launched in Almeria

The new GLOBALG.AP version 5 comes after nearly 400 changes, including reinforcement of microbiological risk monitoring and the responsible use of water.

The new GLOBALG.A.P version 5 has just been announced and presented worldwide. Almeria was chosen for its debut last May. In June 2015 and June 2016, producers may choose to certify the current version (ver.4) or the new one (ver.5). As of July 2016, it will be mandatory to certify version 5.

World launch

This is a new version of the standard, which comes after nearly 400 changes, including reinforcement of microbiological risk monitoring and the responsible use of water. The standard for plant propagation material has also been integrated into the crop standards, so the certification process will be simpler”, explains Ignacio Antequera, head of the technical team and large accounts at GLOBALG.A.P.

Farmers will have a one-year grace period to adjust to the changes, so even though it will take some time to learn the new requirements, the transition should take place smoothly. “The needs of producers and the demands of their customers were a constant reference throughout the review process of the standard, which took over two years. Other interested parties also had their say, including certification authorities, national working groups and private associations, which all took part in development of the standard during the public consultation periods.

GLOBALG.A.P. – a global and sustainable mission

Maria Carmen Morales, head of Quality and Systems at Anecoop and member of the GLOBALG.A.P. Executive Committee, gave a presentation analysing ‘GLOBALG.A.P Management Committee Strategies and Aims’: “The mission of GLOBALG.A.P. members is to develop the incentives necessary to encourage farmers worldwide to adopt safe and sustainable practices that will make the world a better place for our children to live in. GLOBALG.A.P.’s goal is a worldwide link between food production and distribution that is safer for consumers, and laying the foundations for the protection of natural resources through good agricultural practices lets us visualise a sustainable future. A key factor in achieving this goal, among others, consists of nurturing values such as transparency, integrity and trust, which are reinforced by having producers and retailers as partners in this project.”

This is part of an article from the July-August 2015 edition, number 138, of Eurofresh Distribution magazine. Read it here: https://www.eurofresh-distribution.com/magazine/138-2015-julaug

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Hamburg Süd: strong commitment to cargo quality

Cargo experts examine fruit quality after opening a test container equipped with the XtendFRESH system: Michaela Steineker, Thies Claussen & José Ortiz from Eurofins.

Hamburg Süd, a traditional North-South carrier, offers services in most of the world’s key reefer trades. With over 90 years of experience in the transportation of perishable cargo, Hamburg Süd ranks among the top five reefer container carriers worldwide. “We have grown close with the subject of refrigerated cargo in virtually all areas, especially in the Southern Hemisphere where we have our specialists,” says Michaela Steineker, head of Hamburg Süd’s Global Reefer Competence Team. “Where reefer containers are concerned, we transport about 98 per cent food.” Fresh and frozen products are transported, like fruit and vegetables, meat and fish. Bananas currently offer the greatest potential for growth as they are increasingly transported in containers instead of reefer vessels. Hamburg Süd has recently introduced a new service for banana transportation to Europe from Puerto Moin in Costa Rica instead of Cartagena, Colombia. The first port of call in Europe is the Spanish Marin followed by Antwerp, a traditional banana port.

Innovations maintaining quality

Innovations are important at Hamburg Süd, but always with a keen eye on product quality. “We are a high quality reefer carrier dedicated to the cargo. We want to follow new technologies for the best products, but we do not blindly adopt any new technology. We make sure there is extensive testing so no cargo problems arise,” says Michaela Steineker, who has a post-graduate degree in Food Chemistry. One of the projects in the testing phase is ‘Enhanced Reefer Monitoring’. This is a system that monitors the reefer container in real time via mobile data communication. At the same time, the container can be accessed when needed at any time to take corrective action in the box’s operations. Another new technology in co-development with the container manufacturer Carrier is XtendFRESH, a controlled atmosphere technology that is particularly suitable for avocados and bananas. The oxygen content in the container is reduced and the amount of CO2 increased. At the same time, the system removes ethylene, the ripening gas. The XtendFRESH system is a solution integrated into the cooling unit. Until now, so-called ethylene scrubbers were installed in the container. “They would only keep for one journey and then had to be renewed. That involves costs and is laborious in handling,” says Michaela Steineker.

This article originally appeared in the July-August 2015 edition, number 138, of Eurofresh Distribution magazine. Read it here: https://www.eurofresh-distribution.com/magazine/138-2015-julaug

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Asparagus, strawberry and onion production down this year in the US

The United States asparagus crop will be down 8% on last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Figures released on September 4 also show that strawberry production faces a 4% drop and that of onions 5% compared to that of 2014.

The United States asparagus crop will be down 8% on last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Figures released on September 4 also show that strawberry production faces a 4% drop and that of onions 5% compared to that of 2014.

Asparagus

Production of the 2015 asparagus crop is forecast at 685,000 cwt, down 8% on 2014. Area harvested, at 23,500 acres, is down 1%. Total value of the crop, at US $75.7 million, is up 3% from 2014. Fresh production of 530,000 cwt is down 7% on a year ago.

souce. NASS

Strawberries

Strawberry production in the US is forecast at 31.1 million cwt, up 4% from 2014. Area harvested, at 52,800 acres, is down 2%
from last year. Strawberry yield is forecast at 588 cwt per acre, up 37 cwt from 2014.

“In California, warm weather led to an earlier harvest. While the drought has impacted plant growth, production and quality
were reported to be good,” the NASS report said.

Onions

Production of the 2015 onion crop is forecast at 69.1 million cwt, down 5% from 2014. Onion growers expect to harvest 133,350 acres in 2015, down 4% from last year. Spring onion growers intend to harvest 21,900 acres, down 18% from last season.

Summer, non-storage onion growers expect to harvest 18,800 acres, down 2% from a year ago, while summer storage onion growers plan to harvest 92,650 acres in 2015, down 1% from last season.

The final tally of 2014 storage onion production is 55.7 million cwt, up 10% from 2013. The 2014 storage crop is valued at $566 million, an increase of 2% from 2013, NASS said.

 

 

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Linking the Mediterranean with Northern America

In February 2015, the Grimaldi Group shipping company launched a new direct maritime service between Civitavecchia and the North American Ports of Baltimore and Halifax for the transport of cars and other rolling cargo.

The Grimaldi Group shipping company began 2015 with big news: as of February it launched a new direct maritime service between Civitavecchia and the North American Ports of Baltimore and Halifax for the transport of cars and other rolling cargo. The new link is the first direct and regular service between the Mediterranean and North America for the ro-ro carrier sector.

And in Jamuary, Grimaldi had also strengthened the connection between Savona and Barcelona that has become a daily service thanks to deployment of the M/V Ro/Pax “Florencia” that has been added to the 4 “Eurocargo” units which already serve the line.

From 6th July, Grimaldi will launch a new standard service between Brindisi, Igoumenitsa and Corfu adding to the service already offered throughout the year between Brindisi, Igoumenitsa and Patras.

In February, Grimaldi Group improved the Brindisi-Greece service thanks to the employment of the M/V Euroferry Olympia and Euroferry Egnazia, able to carry up to 3,200 lm and with a cargo capacity of 200 ro-ro units and 600 passengers. The Ravenna–Greece direct link joined the already operational transhipment connection, thus increasing the number of departures from Ravenna to Igoumenitsa and Patras to 5 a week.

Due to changes in the market, the Grimaldi Group has also decided to meet demand from the market by modifying the previous Rostock-Helsinki itinerary and introducing the harbour of Hanko to the line. Indeed, as of January, there are now 2 connections from Rostock to Hanko and vice versa and 2 connections from Rostock to Helsinki and vice versa.

In order to face the big challenges of 2015, Finnlines, the company serving the Baltic market and of the Grimaldi Group, has decided to invest in eco-friendly technologies on which it is spending about €65 million. Grimaldi Group is a leader in the maritime transport of cars and all ro-ro vehicles with one of the biggest fleets in the world of roro/multipurpose vessels and car carriers.

The fleet today consists of more than 100 vessels. The vessels are ro-ro/multipurpose, Pure Car and Truck Carrier, Cruise Ferry and High Speed Ferries. The current maritime connections operated by the group serve more than 120 ports in 47 countries in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Western Africa, North and South America.

Nowadays the Motorways of the Sea Network in the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas alone is made up of 100 maritime lines operated by Grimaldi, Minoan, Finnlines and Malta Motorways of the Sea for the transport of cars, trailers, trucks and passengers. 

MV

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Italian exporters strengthen their ties in Asia

Italian fruit exports to China, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia are on the rise.

Italian fruit exports to China, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia are on the rise.

Italian apples, pears and kiwis have an increasingly bigger share in far Eastern countries. In apples, the 2014 campaign ended with 3,733 tons exported to these markets, 50% more than in 2013. Exports to India also rose significantly, totalling 2,520 tons in December 2014, 45% more than the previous campaign. Similar results were reported for Hong Kong, which quadrupled the volume of apples imported from Italy, and Singapore, which ended 2014 with an increase of 45%, equivalent to 444 and 489 tons, respectively. Pear exports, although less important in terms of volume, reached 105 tons this January, up 200% on the previous campaign, specifically to Indonesia and Singapore.

Finally, Italian kiwi exported to Asian markets totalled 19,787 tons in early 2015, a slight drop compared to the 2013 campaign. Although the most representative country is China, with 8,230 tons, the most striking figure is the increase in the kiwifruit share in Taiwan, which grew by almost 50%. The third largest market is India, followed by Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. For apples and kiwis, an upward trend is highlighted in the Indian market, which is emerging as a great prospect for Italian fruit.

Source: CSO

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(Image: By Fred the Oyster (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons)

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Future Group: 270 stores in 100 cities

Located in Tier 2 and 3 cities, Future Group is India’s leading nationwide retail group.

Future Group has become the top modern distributor in India since its acquisition of Nilgiris in 2014, the largest retail chain in Southern India. The group runs 3 types of stores: “Big Bazaar” supermarkets (between 50,000 and 150,000 m2 ), “KB’s Conveniently Yours” convenience stores (between 1,000 and 1,500 m2 ) and “Food Hall” gourmet shops (between 1,500 and 5,000 m2 ). Today the group has over 200 Big Bazar stores, 60 KB’s and 6 Food Halls. KB’s is the fastest growing format in the group, with 40 new stores set to open by the end of 2015. “It is our most successful store, committed to proximity and neighborhoods,” explains Sumit Saran, head of international sourcing. Established just 15 years ago, the group is now aiming for a major expansion. “Our plan is to increase our number of stores by 50% within a year,” confirms Saran. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a strategic category and represent 30% of the sales at Food Hall gourmet stores. Indeed, they only sell food items and perishables represent about 60% of turnover.

F&V: the most strategic category

Produce is also the main section at Big Bazaar, where perishables account for 30% of overall sales. “Fruit and vegetables are the most strategic category we decided to work on at Future Group; this is where we can make a bigger difference,” says Saran. Convenience, pre-packed, high quality standards, purchasing and logistics are the priority areas for improvement that Future Group is working on. Indeed, the group is a pioneer with the creation of farmers’ collection centres and a centralised distribution centre called “Food Park”. Located in Southern India just outside Bangalore in Tumkur, the Food Park integrates storage, grading, sorting and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables. It is a PublicPrivate Partnership project in which the government gives the land. “We plan to create a Food Park in another 4 locations in the country by next year,” affirms Saran.

20% of imports; potential substantially greater with promotion

Imported fruit and vegetables account for more than 20% of all fruit and vegetables sold in shops. Apples are the most successful item, with imported varieties covering over 50% of volumes. Pears are the second category supplied from other sources, representing about 30% of total volumes of pears sold by Future Group shops. Citrus is the second most sold category and the third most imported (20% of volumes). Kiwis, pears and grapes are being imported more and more, according to Sumit Saran. He believes they will take up greater space on shelves in future. “Indian demand for table grapes and premium or seedless varieties is also increasing, despite being a high price category.” Red Globe is the most popular variety imported, and seedless varieties are increasing their share. California is the main source with 50% of all grape imports, followed by China, Peru and Mexico. “We believe imported items can take up a larger share of our sales, but they need promotion. They will have a good return in the future”. „

  • “Soo Fresh” and all-packed Gradually being used nationally, “Soo Fresh” is the retail brand launched at start in Southern India . It is gradually being used for all pre-packed products from India.

PE

This article originally appeared in the July-August 2015 edition, number 138, of Eurofresh Distribution magazine. Read it here: https://www.eurofresh-distribution.com/magazine/138-2015-julaug

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“It’s time Italy became more competitive”

One of the main aims of Gruppo Lillo and its MD and LD brands is to make the most of the Italian origin of their products, seeking out the best price/quality balance by combining it with real, constant convenience.

Gruppo Lillo, Italy’s 2nd-ranking retailer in the discount segment and 3rd in terms of turnover, has made itself a name for genuine, constant convenience with its MD and LD brands.

One of the main aims of Gruppo Lillo and its MD and LD brands is to make the most of the Italian origin of their products, seeking out the best price/quality balance by combining it with real, constant convenience. However, Luigi LaMontagna, the group’s head fruit and vegetable buyer, warned that Italian customers already know what they want and are not prepared to spend too much just because the product has been grown in Italy. As the MD and LD buying chief explained: “Italian consumers know exactly what they want: competitive prices without sacrificing the quality of the fruit. For many years, Italian fresh produce supplies have been standing still under the Made in Italy banner. Nowadays, saying the fruit is Italian is no longer reason enough for its being really good, just as the fruit does not have to be expensive to be of good quality. With more produce of high quality available at competitive prices from competitor countries, Italian consumers have understood that they can demand more.”

Competitiveness is indispensable

“I think the time has come for the Italian produce sector, particularly in the south of the country, to become more competitive and go out and earn a market share,” said Luigi LaMontagna. “By that I do not mean that they should cut costs at the expense of the workforce in the fields. On the contrary, it is precisely at that point that more care should be taken of the resources, as without quality no business can survive. I think that the best way to be competitive is to make a genuine effort to work together, joining forces and generating commercial synergies That is not easy, bearing in mind that 90% of Italian agriculture is made up of smallholdings. PGIs and DOs are doing sterling work to uphold quality, but they cannot go too far and when it comes to selling, everyone is flying their own flag. With fewer interlocutors there would be fewer obstacles, and together it would be possible to negotiate better deals and be more competitive. It is difficult but not impossible: just look at the example of apples in the north of Italy. They are well organised, highly efficient, negotiate as a group and grow stable volumes of fruit of very high quality that fetches good prices.”

New habits, new demands

It is true that the crisis has hit consumption among Italy’s volume retailers. It is also true that end consumers have changed their habits and demands, buying less fruit but demanding better quality. Even so, in spite of the general downward trend, LaMontagna asserts that sales of niche products not only have not fallen but are in fact increasing their market share. Exotic fruit imports and organic produce are clear examples, as both segments have achieved strong loyalty. The ready-to-eat boom is another example of a niche market that is prospering in these changing times and responding to new demands. A product that is ready to eat fits in perfectly with the modern habit of working at a distance from the home. Immediate consumption, a high quality product and a reasonable price are the perfect trio of advantages to spawn commercial success, as we are seeing nowadays in Italy, owing to its convenience,” LaMontagna explained. 

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Lillo Group S.p.A. Lillo Group SpA is one of the biggest Italian volume retailers operating in the discount channel. Its MD and LD brands are present throughout the country. In 2014 it achieved sales worth €2 billion and its market share reached 15%, making it the second-ranking Italian player in this sector. The history of the Lillo Group is that of Patrizio Podini, the sole director, who was born in Bolzano and has been active in the retail sector since the 1960s. In 1994 he decided to invest in the southern Italian regions and founded MD Discount, which continued to grow until it “disembarked” at national level in 2014 with the acquisition of the LD Market chain, with its widespread presence in the north of Italy, from Gruppo Lombardini. This created a nation-wide scenario that now boasts over 720 points of sale and a staff of over 5,000, and can shift hundreds of millions of boxes a year through six depots. The main one is at Gricignano di Aversa (province of Caserta), which covers 64,000 m². This high-tech logistics jewel was built to be sustainable, thanks to a photovoltaic installation with 9,727 solar panels, which provide enough power to supply a village of 700 houses, and to the use of LED lighting.

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